Tina’s Story
A young girl was playing outside enjoying freedom. She loves where her home is located with a beautiful view of the ocean and the sunsets that turn the sky to a fiery red. But change is coming. She and her family are leaving their homeland for America the land of opportunity. Remaining in their homeland would be difficult for this family. The father must support 4 women with the milk provided by the 4 cows.
America, presents many new frightening and exciting experiences. The journey to America has seen this young girl and her family sail the rough winter seas to obtain the papers permitting them this journey. Another exciting, frightening experience of flying on a small craft and then the big enormous airplane to America. A taxi ride to their new home seems like forever. In one week’s time she’s living with unknown family where they speak another language.
School in America is so different. She has to learn this new language and is grateful to the new friends (native speakers of her language) who help her to understand this new way of learning. It becomes clear that she doesn’t belong here. With the passing of the school years and the visits back to her homeland it becomes obvious she doesn’t fit anywhere. In America she is the Portugee and in Portugal she is the American.
Her 18th birthday sees her attending college. She feels uncertain but determined to get the best education while still following her parents’ advise to choose a career that would be financially rewarding. After all this is why the family came to America. Two years of hard work, 2 hours of daily commuting and many days of feeling lost and in no man’s land she graduates.
The decade of her 20’s brings the initial launch in the search of herself and the many attempts to fit in. The decade of her 30’s were her launch out into the world, traveling to new places, experiencing new foods and new people. Finally. she feels as if she belongs, she belongs in the world. Her 40’s see her entering a new century and making her own home in a new magical land of Pura Vida. It also brings her old love back into her life and returning her back to America. Her 50’s are filled with personal and professional challenges and her search is ongoing to release old world/family beliefs, limitations and self-imposed responsibilities. The entry into her 60th decade is a deeper understanding with greater acceptance for the journey to unearth, discover, explore, practice and becoming Tina, at the HELM, navigating a joyful life.
It’s my sincerest wish that you, at whatever stage of your journey, join me to explore a deeper understanding of your life, your purpose and what brings you joy.
